Brews & Bytes. Christ is born! Glorify Him!

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1 Brews & Bytes December 2013 Volume 1, Issue 5 Inside OCCGH/ Agia Sophia Info 2 Charity Pledge 3 Agia Sophia News 4 Volunteer Spotlight 5 Christmas Gift Ideas 6 Agia Sophia Rental 7 Dec. 3 rd in the Burg 8 Christmas Concert 9 Jan. 3 rd in the Burg 10 Susquehanna Blessing 11 Word Search 12 December Special Peppermint Dark Chocolate Latte! For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Isaiah 9:6-7 Christ is born! Glorify Him!

2 Page 2 Agia Sophia Coffeehouse & Book Store 225 Market Street Harrisburg, Pennsylvania At the corner of Third and Market Streets across from the Whitaker Center Phone: agiasophiaharrisburg@gmail.com Hours Monday-Friday, 7 AM 5 PM Saturday & Sunday CLOSED Robbin Staller, Manager James Latimer, Assistant Manager Harrisburg s only non-profit coffeehouse! Agia Sophia Coffeehouse & Bookstore is a South Central PA outreach project under the auspices of the Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg, Inc. Our goal is to generate charitable contributions for area charities. We represent the following Orthodox communities: Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church, Harrisburg Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, Mechanicsburg Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Camp Hill St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church, Oberlin-Steelton OCCGH Mission Established in 2009 the Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg, Inc. (OCCGH) was incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the purpose of charitable giving and education in the greater Harrisburg environs. Visit us at to learn more about our organization or to make a donation. If you would like to learn more about OCCGH, the board members have developed a Power Point presentation and are available to speak at your church or organization. PLEASE NOTE: Information for the newsletter should be submitted to Sally Marasco (hisgalsal@hotmail.com) by the 27th of the month.

3 Page 3 Agia Sophia December 2013 Charity Pledge Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central PA provides comfort and care to children and their families through Ronald McDonald House, its cornerstone program, and by making grants to other local not-for-profit organizations that help children in need. We also fund the Ronald McDonald Family Room, Hospitality Cart, and family lounges at Penn State Hershey Children s Hospital. Agia Sophia Coffee House (Orthodox Christian Charities of Greater Harrisburg, Inc.) In Partnership with YOU! Donations 2012 $2,655 Donations 2013 $3,396 TOTAL $6,051 January: Meals on Wheels $304 February: Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation $327 March: PA Veterans Foundation $320 April: Muscular Dystrophy Association $304 May: Penn State THON $371 June: Harrisburg Relay for Life $300 July: Interfaith Shelter $269 August: 2 Seconds or Less $340 September: The Joshua Farm $288 October: Bailey House $371 November: Central PA Food Bank $302 December: Ronald McDonald House TBD November Charity Pledge Update Thanks to your patronage and generosity, $302 will be donated to the Central PA Food Bank. All proceeds from Agia Sophia sales (after expenses) are donated to worthy charities. Thank you!!

4 Page 4 November Volunteer Appreciation A Volunteer Appreciation was held at Agia Sophia on Saturday, November 2, It was a lovely time to say thank you to all the dedicated volunteers who help to make our coffee house a welcoming and inspirational success in our community! Here is a note of appreciation we received from one of our volunteers, Carole Fair. As a volunteer, it's so nice to be appreciated and, even more importantly, to know that you are. Thank you for the Volunteer Appreciation Party on Saturday. Your gifts acknowledging our work and time were meaningful to me and so very valued. Agia Sophia has certainly grown since my beginnings with it. I wish you continued success and future growth in a "business" that is so worthwhile and so needed in our community. May God bless your endeavors and bring you the needed blessings and resources to thrive in His name. Warm Regards, Carole Fair Amazing Monograms, Mechanicsburg, PA Each month, Agia Sophia holds a monthly drawing for a free box of coffee and six muffins, a $30 value. There is no purchase necessary. Just drop your business card in the glass jar on the counter for a chance to win. October Winner Regis Ryan, Bureau of Maintenance and Operations of Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation November Winner Keith Wickard, Division of Office Planning and Facility Support Services of Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection There is a new addition to our food offerings at Agia Sophia! We now have home baked cookies. The current varieties include: butter cookies made with imported Irish butter, chocolate cookies made with Madagascar vanilla, peanut butter oatmeal with craisins, O'Henry-style bars with cereal and crunchy peanut butter topped with a thick layer of dark chocolate and whoopie pies. We've also been promised kifling crescent cookies as well as other holiday cookies from our church ladies. As with our soups, the cookies are made with tender loving care. The cookies sell for a dollar a piece (including tax). In December, the shop will have available a build-a-box option for take-out assortments of cookies in an eight inch windowed bakery box. NOTE: Volunteers have baked these treats in their homes or churches, which are not subject to state inspection.

5 Page 5 Volunteer S P OT L I G H T This month we feature volunteer, Natalie Treece. How long have you volunteered at Agia Sophia? I've volunteered for over a year at Agia Sophia I don't remember my starting date. Why did you decide to volunteer here? I have been part of the Orthodox Community in the Harrisburg area all my life. I ve taught in Harrisburg School District for 35 years and Yeshiva Academy for 3 years. I feel by volunteering, it is a way to be a visible, positive presence in Harrisburg. What's your favorite aspect of volunteering at Agia Sophia? Being able to reacquaint with a number of my former students. Would you rather... Lattes and muffins or tea and bagels? I am actually a plain coffee and a bagel with peanut butter person. Dogs or cats? I'm partial to dogs; we own a large yellow lab. Any memorable stories from volunteering at Agia Sophia? In conversation with a customer, I learned that his wife and I have the same maiden names. It is a very unusual name and I have never met anyone outside of our family who had the same name. Agia Sophia is primarily staffed with volunteers which keeps overhead costs down. Those interested in volunteering at the shop are encouraged to submit a volunteer application. December Special Peppermint Dark Chocolate Latte small $2.62 medium $3.09 large $3.43

6 Page 6, Looking for Christmas Gift Ideas? Stop in at the shop for a selection of sacred music, embroidered tea towels and books. All of our used books are $5. New books are priced as marked. These items make great stocking Sacred Music CD s Sacred Treasures Choral Masterworks from Russia Cherubika: The Hymn of the Great Entrance Lay Aside All Earthly Cares by Cappella Romana The Soul of Orthodox Chant by Divna Gift baskets are still available. These make great gifts for party hostesses, co-workers, friends and family. Each gift basket contains: one Agia Sophia mug one 8 oz. bag of coffee one pair of beeswax candles two wrapped biscotti Embroidered Tea Towels $9/each This is a $25 value for $20. You can also add an Agia Sophia gift card to your basket in any amount from $5 to $50. Decaffeinated, ground or whole beans are available at your request. To purchase, please contact the shop at

7 Page 7 The mission of Agia Sophia Coffeehouse and Bookstore is to provide Orthodox Christian outreach and to generate contributions to local charities. You can help! Donate your time by volunteering at the shop, let us know about any skills you have that may apply (marketing/ Time, Talents, Treasure research/business), or make a donation. If you enjoy cooking/baking, we have a place for you! Come on into the shop and transform leftover bagels into tasty seasoned bagel chips or make a breakfast casserole. Need Rental Space? Looking for unique extraordinary surroundings to host a meeting, celebrate an event, share a film, discuss a book or simply gather with friends? If so, consider reserving Agia Sophia Coffeehouse & Bookstore. The coffeehouse has two areas available to meet your needs: a spacious lower level or the beautiful bookstore. Both spaces can be rented at a very reasonable hourly rate from one hour (bookstore) to several hours (bookstore or lower level.) Refreshments can be created by a barista, pre-ordered and set up, or feel free to bring your own. If it s parking that concerns you, the Rental Coordinator can offer suggestions to address that issue. Your event can take place during business hours (7 AM-5 PM), after hours (with the exception of Wednesdays), Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. For more information, please contact the Rental Coordinator at or priggins@ptd.net. Hope to see you soon!

8 Page 8 IN THE BURG About 3 rd in the Burg: On the third Friday of every month, Harrisburg venues open their doors to streets full of culture lovers of all kinds. A collaboration begun in 2010 by a diverse group of galleries and businesses, 3 rd in the Burg has grown into one of Harrisburg's most vital and recognizable city events. For more info and a schedule of participating venues, go to

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10 Page 10 IN THE BURG About 3 rd in the Burg: On the third Friday of every month, Harrisburg venues open their doors to streets full of culture lovers of all kinds. A collaboration begun in 2010 by a diverse group of galleries and businesses, 3 rd in the Burg has grown into one of Harrisburg's most vital and recognizable city events. For more info and a schedule of participating venues, go to

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12 Page 12 Fun Word Search Can You Find All of the Words? DECEMBER SAINTS V V A S R M I S A E L Y I A AMBROSE MARCELLUS O T R U B A L S E U E H K L ANASTASIA MELANIA P H I L A R E T C G I T U E ANNA MENAS A A G I S C U E A R N H I M ANYSIA MISAEL U B N N U E C P F A A E H E AZARIAS NAHUM L A A I S L I H I P D O A L BARBARA NICHOLAS S K T N R L S E N H O P G A BONIFACE NILUS V K I O Y U U N O U S H G N DANIEL PAUL A U U H H S A B B S S A A I EUGENIA PHILARET I K S J T M I M E L A N I A EUGRAPHUS SAVVA N B K V B A E A H R L O Y Z HABAKKUK SEBASTIAN E B A R B N N N A S O D N A HAGGAI SPYRIDON G A O V A N A B A R H I A R HERMAN STEPHEN U S A H V A R U K S C R M I IGNATIUS THEOPHANO E J U L I A N A K I I Y R A JOHN THYRSUS U M S E B A S T I A N P E S JULIANA Help Us Help Others! The Agia Sophia Wish List 6 qt. electric slow cooker Mugs: 12, 16 or 20 oz. Ceramic plates: luncheon or saucer size Stainless steel soup spoon Paper napkins Standing mixer & mixing bowl Small shelf or stand to hold free publications (i.e. The Burg, Capitol Watch, etc.) Used Bibles Large bulletin board (3 ft. x 3 ft.)